Front fascia for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A front fascia for a vehicle includes an upper fascia member, a lower fascia member, a connection member, and a temporary connection member. The connection member extends between the upper fascia member and the lower fascia member. The temporary connection member extends between the upper fascia member and the lower fascia member. The temporary connection member is configured to be removable prior to installation of the front fascia to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a front fascia for a vehicle.More specifically, the present invention relates to a temporaryconnection member configured to be removable prior to installation ofthe front fascia to a vehicle.

Background Information

A front fascia for a vehicle is typically a decorative member made ofplastic. Prior to installation on a vehicle, the front fascia can bedifficult to manipulate and subject to sagging or other damagingmovement due to the size and material thereof.

SUMMARY

An object of the disclosure is to provide a front fascia for a vehicle.

In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a front fascia for a vehicle. The front fasciaincludes an upper fascia member, a lower fascia member, a connectionmember, and a temporary connection member. The connection member extendsbetween the upper fascia member and the lower fascia member. Thetemporary connection member extends between the upper fascia member andthe lower fascia member. The temporary connection member is configuredto be removable prior to installation of the front fascia to thevehicle.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a front fascia for avehicle including an upper fascia member, a lower fascia member, a firstconnection member, a second connection member, and a temporaryconnection member. The first connection member extends between the upperfascia member and the lower fascia member. The second connection memberextends between the upper fascia member and the lower fascia member. Thetemporary connection member extends between the upper fascia member andthe lower fascia member. The temporary connection member is configuredto be removable prior to installation of the front fascia to thevehicle.

Also other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosedfront fascia for a vehicle will become apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the frontfascia for a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a front fascia assembly for avehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front fascia of the front fasciaassembly of FIG. 1 in which a temporary connection member extendsbetween an upper fascia member and a lower fascia member;

FIG. 3 is front elevational view of the front fascia of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view in cross-section of the front fascia ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view in cross section of the frontfascia of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view in cross section of thetemporary connection member of the front fascia of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in cross section of a connectionmember of the front fascia of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the front fascia assemblyafter removal of a temporary connection member from the fascia;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the assembled front fasciaassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the front fascia of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of a support member;

FIG. 12 is a rear elevational view of the support member of FIG. 11connected to the front fascia of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the grille member connected to thesupport member and the front fascia of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view in cross section taken along line 14-14of the front fascia assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view in cross section taken along line 15-15of the front fascia assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view in cross section taken along line 16-16of the front fascia assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view in cross section taken along line17-17 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view in cross section taken along line18-18 of the front fascia assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 a side elevational view in cross section taken along line 19-19of the front fascia assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view in cross section taken along line20-20 of the front fascia assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view in cross section taken along line21-21 of the front fascia assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 8, a front fascia assembly 10 for avehicle is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The front fascia assembly 10 includes a front fascia12, a support member 14, and a grille member 16. The support member 14is removably connected to a front surface 18 of the front fascia. Thegrille member 16 is connected to a rear surface 20 (FIG. 13) of thefront fascia 12 to securely retain the support member 14 to the frontfascia 12. The support member 14 rigidly supports the front fascia 12prior to installation to a vehicle. The front fascia 12, the supportmember 14, and the grille member 16 are preferably separate members.

The front fascia 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes an upper fasciamember 22, a lower fascia member 24, and a first connection member 26extending between the upper fascia member 22 and the lower fascia member24. A second connection member 28 extends between the upper fasciamember 22 and the lower fascia member 24.

The upper fascia member 22 has a lower edge 22A and an upper edge 22Bthat define a perimeter of the upper fascia member 22. The lower fasciamember 24 has a lower edge 24A, an upper edge 24B, and oppositelydisposed side edges 24C and 24D that define a perimeter of the lowerfascia member 24. The side edges 24C and 24D extend between respectiveends of the lower and upper edges 24A and 24B. The upper edge 24B of thelower fascia member 24 has a recessed portion 24E that is centrallydisposed along the upper edge 24B.

The first and second connection members 26 and 28 extend between theupper and lower fascia members 22 and 24, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 10.The first connection member 26 has an outer surface 26A and an innersurface 26B. The second connection member 28 has an outer surface 28Aand an inner surface 28B. The outer surfaces 26A and 28A face a forwarddirection F (FIG. 8) of the vehicle, and the inner surfaces 26B and 28Bfaces a rearward direction R (FIG. 8) of the vehicle. The first andsecond connection members 26 and 28 extend from ends of the recessedportion 24E of the lower fascia member 24 toward the upper fascia member22. The first and second connection members 26 and 28 extend indifferent directions from the lower fascia member 24. In other words,the first connection member 26 extends upwardly to the right from thelower fascia member 24, as shown in FIG. 3, and the second connectionmember 28 extends upwardly to the left from the lower fascia member 24.The first connection member 26 is not parallel to the second connectionmember 28.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first connection member 26 has a groove 26Cextending along a length thereof. The groove 26C faces a forwarddirection F (FIG. 8) of the vehicle. The second connection member 28 issimilarly configured.

An opening 30 in the front fascia 12 is defined by the front fascia 12by lower edge 22A of the upper fascia member 22, the upper edge 24B ofthe lower fascia member 24, and the first and second connection members26 and 28. More preferably, the opening 30 is defined by the frontfascia 12 by lower edge 22A of the upper fascia member 22, the recessedportion 24E of the upper edge 24B of the lower fascia member 24, and thefirst and second connection members 26 and 28. As shown in FIG. 3, theopening 30 is centered in a lateral direction of the front fascia 12.

A temporary connection member 32 extends between the upper fascia member22 and the lower fascia member 24, as shown in FIGS. 2-6. The temporaryconnection member 32 extends between the lower edge 22A of the upperfascia member 22 and the upper edge 24B of the lower fascia member 24.More preferably, the temporary connection member 32 extends between thelower edge 22A of the upper fascia member 22 and the recessed portion24E of the upper edge 24B of the lower fascia member 24. The temporaryconnection member 32 has a first portion 32A having a reduced thicknessproximal the upper fascia member 22 and a second portion 32B having areduced thickness proximal the lower fascia member 24. The first portion32A has a thickness T1 and the second portion 32B has a thickness T2, asshown in FIG. 6. A central portion 32C of the temporary connectionmember 32 between the upper and lower fascia members 22 and 24 has athickness T3. The thicknesses T1 and T2 of the first and second portions32A and 32B, respectively, are each less than the thickness T3 of thecentral portion 32C. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first reducedthickness portion 32A is disposed rearwardly of the second reducedthickness portion 32B in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle

As shown in FIG. 3, in a front elevational view of the front fascia 12,the temporary connection member 32 extends substantially verticallybetween the upper and lower fascia members 22 and 24. The temporaryconnection member 32 is substantially centered with respect to a lengthof the upper fascia member 22. The temporary connection member 32 issubstantially centered with respect to a length of the lower fasciamember 24. The temporary connection member 32 is preferably not parallelto either the first or second connection members 26 and 28.

The temporary connection member 32 rigidly supports the upper and lowerfascia members 22 and 24. The temporary connection member 32 is disposedbetween the first and second connection members 26 and 28 to furthersupport the upper and lower fascia members 22 and 24. The temporaryconnection member 32 substantially prevents movement of the upper fasciamember 22 relative to the lower fascia member 24, such as sagging orseparation of the upper fascia member 22 from the lower fascia member24, prior to installation of the fascia member 12 to the vehicle. Thetemporary connection member 32 further prevents damage to the first andsecond connection members 26 and 28, such as the first and secondconnection members bending or breaking.

The temporary connection member 32 is configured to be removable priorto installation of the front fascia 12 to the vehicle. The reducedthickness portions T1 and T2 facilitate removal of the temporaryconnection member 32 from the upper and lower fascia members 22 and 24prior to installation of the front fascia to the vehicle. Preferably,the temporary connection member 32 is removable from the upper and lowerfascia members 22 and 24 without a tool. The reduced thickness portionsT1 and T2 of the first and second portions 32A and 32B can be scored,perforated or other suitable means to facilitate separating thetemporary connection member 32 from the upper and lower fascia members22 and 24. The temporary connection member 32 is preferably made of aplastic material, such as polypropylene, such that the removed temporaryconnection member 32 can be recycled. As shown in FIG. 8, the temporaryconnection member 32 is preferably removed prior to connection of thegrille member 16.

The rear surface 20 of the front fascia 12 includes first, second andthird mounting holes 36, 38 and 40, as shown in FIG. 10, to facilitatesecurely retaining the support member 14 and the grille member 16thereto. The first mounting hole 36 is disposed proximal the upperfascia member 22. Preferably, there are two first mounting holes 36disposed on opposite sides of the opening 30. The second mounting hole38 is disposed adjacent the first mounting hole 36, such that the secondmounting hole 38 is disposed between the first mounting hole 36 and theopening 30. Preferably, there are two second mounting holes 38 disposedon opposite sides of the opening 30. The first and second mounting holes36 and 38 are disposed in the first and second connection members 26 and28. The third mounting hole 40 is disposed proximal the lower fasciamember 24. Preferably, there are two third mounting holes 40 disposed onopposite sides of the centerline CLF of the fascia member 12. Each ofthe first, second and third mounting holes 36, 38 and 40 extendscompletely through the front fascia from the front surface 18 to therear surface 20.

A plurality of slots 42 are disposed in the lower fascia member 24, asshown in FIG. 10. The slot 42 has a recessed portion 42A centered on theslot. The recessed portion 42A of the slot 42 extends toward the opening30 in the front facia 12. Six slots 42 are shown, with three slots beingdisposed on each side of the centerline CLF of the fascia member 12.However, the front fascia 12 can have any suitable number of slots 42.Each slot 42 is configured substantially similarly. The plurality ofslots 42 extend completely through the front fascia 12 from the frontsurface 18 to the rear surface 20.

A plurality of cut-outs 44 are formed in the front fascia 12, as shownin FIG. 10. The cut-outs 44 are formed in the lower fascia member 24 onan inner periphery defining the opening 30. The cut-outs 44 are formedin positions to allow the support member 14 and the grille member 16 tobe directly connected together without being received by or engaging thefront fascia 12.

A plurality of mounting tabs 45 extend rearwardly from the rear surface20 of the front fascia 12, as shown in FIG. 10. The front fascia 12 isshown having six mounting tabs 45, with three mounting tabs 45 beingdisposed on each side of the fascia centerline CLF, although the frontfascia 12 can have any suitable number of mounting tabs 45. Theplurality of mounting tabs 45 extend rearwardly from the lower faciamember 24 of the front fascia 12.

The upper fascia member 22, the lower fascia member 24, the first andsecond connection members 26 and 28, and the temporary connection member32 are integrally formed as a single member. For example, the upperfascia member 22, the lower fascia member 24, the first and secondconnection members 26 and 28, and the temporary connection member 32 areintegrally formed as a single member by injection molding. The frontfascia 12 is made of any suitable material, such as a plastic material,such as polypropylene.

The support member 14 has a front surface 14A and a rear surface 14B, asshown in FIGS. 8 and 11. The support member is preferably formed as asingle, one-piece member. The support member 14 is made out of anysuitable material, such as a chrome plated metallic material.

The support member 14 has a first leg 34 having first and second ends,as shown in FIG. 8. A second leg 36 extends upwardly from the first endof the first leg 34, and a third leg 37 extends upwardly from the secondend of the first leg 34. The second and third legs 36 and 37 extend inopposite directions from the first leg 34. In other words, the secondleg 36 extends to the right, and the third leg 37 extends to the left.Preferably, the second and third legs 36 and 37 are substantiallyparallel to the first and second connection members 26 and 28 when thesupport member is connected to the front fascia 12. The support member14 is preferably substantially U-shaped.

A rear surface 14B of the support member 14 includes an outwardlyextending first mounting boss 46, as shown in FIG. 11. The firstmounting boss 46 has an internally threaded opening 46A, as shown inFIG. 14. Preferably, the support member 14 has two first mounting bosses46, with one mounting boss 46 extending from each of the second andthird legs 36 and 37, although the support member 14 can have anysuitable number of first mounting bosses 46.

A first locating member 48 extends outwardly from the rear surface 14Bof the support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15. The firstlocating member 48 is disposed adjacent the first mounting boss 46. Thefirst locating member 48 is disposed between the opening 30 and thefirst mounting boss 46 when the support member 14 is connected to thefront fascia 12. Preferably, the support member has two first locatingmembers 48, with one first locating member extending from each of thesecond and third legs 36 and 37 of the support member 14, although thesupport member 14 can have any suitable number of first locating members48.

A first mounting tab, or attachment member, 50 extends outwardly fromthe rear surface 14B of the support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 11 and16. Preferably, the support member 14 has four first mounting tabs 50,with two first mounting tabs 50 extending from each of the second andthird legs 36 and 37 of the support member 14, although the supportmember 14 can have any suitable number of first mounting tabs 50. A hook50A is disposed at the end of the first mounting tab 50.

A second mounting tab, or attachment member, 52 extends outwardly fromthe rear surface 14B of the support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 11 and17-19. Preferably, the support member 14 has six second mounting tabs52, with three of the second mounting tabs 52 being disposed on eachside of the support member centerline CLS, although the support member14 can have any suitable number of second mounting tabs 52. Each of theplurality of mounting tabs 52 extends outwardly from the rear surface14B of the first leg 34 of the support member 14. The second mountingtab 52 has a first ramped surface 52A, as shown in FIG. 18, tofacilitate insertion in the slots 42 of the front fascia 12. A stopmember 52B extends downwardly from the second mounting tab 52 to limitan insertion depth of the second mounting tab 52. A hook 52C of thesecond mounting tab 52 is configured to engage the rear surface 20 ofthe front fascia 12, as shown in FIG. 19 to prevent accidentalwithdrawal of the second mounting tab 52 from the slot 42 in the frontfascia 12. The ramped surface 52A and the hook 52C are disposed onopposite surfaces of the second mounting tab 52. Each of the secondmounting tabs 52 is similarly configured.

A third mounting tab, or attachment member, 54 extends outwardly fromthe rear surface 14B of the support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 11 and20. As shown in FIG. 11, the third mounting tab 14 extends outwardlyfrom the rear surface 14B of the first leg 34 of the support member 14.The third mounting tab 54 has a flexible hook 54A to preventaccidentally removal of the third mounting tab 54 from the grille member16, as shown in FIG. 20. Although the support member 14 is shown havingone third mounting tab 54, the support member 14 can have any suitablenumber of third mounting tabs 54.

A second mounting boss 56 extends outwardly from the rear surface 14B ofthe support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 21. Preferably, twosecond mounting bosses 56 extend outwardly from the rear surface 14B ofthe support member 14. The two second mounting bosses 56 are disposed onopposite sides of a centerline CLS of the support member 14, as shown inFIG. 11. The second mounting boss 56 extends from the first leg 34 ofthe support member 14. The second mounting boss 56 has an internallythreaded opening 56A to facilitate receiving a fastener. Each of thesecond mounting bosses 56 is similarly configured. Although the supportmember 14 is shown having two second mounting bosses 56, the supportmember 14 can have any suitable number of second mounting bosses 56.

The grille member 16 has a peripheral support portion 58 surrounding agrille portion 60, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13. The grille member 16 hasa front surface 16A and a rear surface 16B. The front surface 16A of thegrille member 16 faces in the forward direction F of the vehicle, andthe rear surface 16B of the grille member 16 faces in the rearwarddirection R of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13. The grillemember 16 is made out of any suitable material, such as a rigid plasticmaterial.

The grille member 16 includes first, second, third and fourth mountingholes 62, 64, 66 and 67 disposed in the peripheral support portion 58,as shown in FIG. 13, to facilitate securely retaining the front fascia12 and the support member 14 thereto. The first mounting hole 62 isconfigured to be aligned with the first mounting hole 36 of the fasciamember 12 when the front fascia assembly 10 is assembled. Preferably,there are two first mounting holes 62, with one first mounting hole 62being disposed on each side of the grille member centerline CLG. Thesecond mounting hole 64 is disposed adjacent the first mounting hole 62,such that the second mounting hole 64 is disposed between the firstmounting hole 62 and the opening 30. The second mounting hole 64 isconfigured to be aligned with the second mounting hole 38 of the frontfascia 12 when the front fascia assembly 10 is assembled. Preferably,there are two second mounting holes 64, with one second mounting holebeing disposed on each side of the grille member centerline CLG. Thethird mounting hole 66 is configured to be aligned with the cut-outs 44of the front fascia 12 and the first mounting tabs 50 of the supportmember 14. Preferably, there are four third mounting holes 40, with twothird mounting holes being disposed on each side of the centerline CLGof the grille member 16. The fourth mounting hole 67 is configured to bealigned with the third mounting hole 40 of the front fascia 12.Preferably, there are two fourth mounting holes 67, with two thirdmounting holes 67 being disposed on each side of the centerline CLG ofthe grille member 16. Each of the first, second, third and fourthmounting holes 62, 64, 66 and 67 extends completely through the grillmember 16 from the front surface 16A to the rear surface 16B.

A plurality of first slots 68 are disposed in the peripheral supportportion 58 of the grille member 16, as shown in FIG. 13. The first slots68 extend completely through the grille member 16 from the front surface16A to the rear surface 16B. Preferably, there are six first slots 68,with three first slots 68 being disposed on each side of the grillemember centerline CLG. The first slots 68 are configured to be alignedwith the second mounting tabs 52 of the support member 14 when the frontfascia assembly 10 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 13.

A plurality of second slots 70 are disposed in the peripheral supportportion 58 of the grille member 16, as shown in FIG. 13. The secondslots 70 extend completely through the grille member 16 from the frontsurface 16A to the rear surface 16B. Preferably, there are six secondslots 70, with three second slots 70 being disposed on each side of thegrille member centerline CLG. The second slots 70 are configured to bealigned with the mounting tabs 45 of the front fascia 12 when the frontfascia assembly 10 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 13.

A third mounting slot 71 is disposed in the peripheral support portion58 of the grille member 16, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 20. The thirdmounting slot 71 extends completely through the grille member 16 fromthe front surface 16A to the rear surface 16B. The third mounting slot71 is configured to be aligned with the third mounting tab 54 of thesupport member 14 when the front fascia assembly 10 is assembled, asshown in FIGS. 13 and 20. The third mounting tab 54 is configured topass through one of the cut-outs 44 in the front fascia 12 such that thethird mounting tab 54 is not received by the front fascia 12 when thefront fascia assembly 10 is assembled.

To assemble the front fascia assembly 10, as shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9,the support member 14 is attached from the front surface side of thefront fascia 12, and the grille member 16 is attached from the rearsurface side of the front fascia 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the temporaryconnection member 32 is removed from the front fascia 12 prior toattaching the support member 14 and the grille member 16. The reducedthickness of the first and second portions 32A and 32B facilitatesremoving the temporary connection member 32 from the upper and lowerfascia members 22 and 24. As shown in FIG. 8, the opening 30 in thefront fascia 12 is unobstructed after removing the temporary connectionmember 32. In other words, the front fascia 12 has no structure passingthrough the opening 30 after removing the temporary connection member32. As shown in FIG. 8, the first and second connection members 26 and28 are not removed from the front fascia 12.

The support member 14 is then attached to the front fascia 12 from thefront surface side of the front fascia, as shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9.The support member 14 supports the front fascia 12 after removal of thetemporary connection member 32.

The first mounting bosses 46 of the support member 14 are aligned withthe first mounting holes 36 of the front fascia 12, as shown in FIG. 14,such that the internally threaded opening 46A of the first mounting boss46 is aligned with the first mounting hole 36. The first locating member48 of the support member 14 is received by the second mounting hole 38of the front fascia 12, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15. The first locatingmember 48 facilitates positioning the support member 14 with respect tothe front fascia 12.

The first mounting tabs 50 of the support member 14 are received bycut-outs 44 in the front fascia 12, as shown in FIG. 12, such that thefirst mounting tabs 50 do not engage the front fascia 12.

The second mounting tabs 52 of the support member 14 are received by theslots 42 in the front fascia 12, as shown in FIGS. 12, 18 and 19. Thefirst ramped surface 52A of the second mounting tab 52 facilitatesinserting the second mounting tab 52 through the slot 42. The hook 52Cin the second mounting tab 52 engages the slot 42 in the front fascia12. The hook 52C flexes through the slot 42 and engages the rear surface20 of the front fascia 12 to prevent accidental removal of the hook 52Cfrom the slot 42, thereby securely retaining the support member 14 tothe front fascia. The second mounting tabs 52 do not engage the grillemember 16 when the grille member is connected to the front fascia 12 andto the support member 14.

The third mounting tab 54 of the support member 14 is received by one ofthe cut-outs 44 in the front fascia 12, as shown in FIG. 12, such thatthe third mounting tab 54 does not engage the front fascia 12.

The second mounting bosses 56 of the support member 14 are aligned withthe third mounting holes 40 of the front fascia 12, as shown in FIGS. 12and 21, such that the internally threaded openings 56A of the secondmounting bosses 56 are aligned with the third mounting holes 40.

As shown in FIG. 12, the support member 14 surrounds three sides of theopening 30 in the front fascia 12. In other words, the first, second andthird legs 34, 36 and 37 surround the lower and side portions of theperimeter of the opening 30. The support end 14 has a first end 14C anda second end 14D. The support member 14 extends along a perimeter of theopening 30 in the front fascia 12, as shown in FIG. 12. The second andthird legs 36 and 37 of the support member 14 are received by thegrooves 26C (FIG. 7) in the first and second connection members 26 and28 when the support member 14 is connected to the front fascia 12.

After the support member 14 has been attached to a front surface side ofthe front fascia 12, the grille member 16 is attached to the rearsurface side of the front fascia 12, as shown in FIG. 13, to form thefront fascia assembly 10.

The first mounting holes 62 of the support member 16 are aligned withthe first mounting bosses 46 of the support member 14 and the firstmounting holes 36 of the front fascia 12, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Afastener 72 is inserted through the first mounting hole 62 of the grillemember 16, the first mounting hole 36 of the front fascia 12 and thefirst mounting boss of the support member 14, and preferably in thatorder, to securely retain the front fascia 12, the support member 14 andthe grille member 16 together. The fastener 72 is received by the firstmounting holes 36 in the connection members 26 and 28 of the fasciamember 12. The fastener 72 is inserted from the rear surface side of thegrille member 16. The fastener 72 is preferably threaded to engage theinternally threaded opening 46A in the first mounting boss 46. The frontsurface 14A of the support member 14 covers the fastener 72 such thatthe fastener 72 is not visible from a front surface side of the frontfascia assembly 10, thereby providing an aesthetic appearance.

The second mounting hole 64 of the grille member 16 receives the firstlocating member 48 of the support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 12 and15. The first locating member 48 facilitates positioning the supportmember 14 with respect to the front fascia 12, thereby facilitatingpositioning the grille member 16 with respect to the front fascia 12 andthe support member 14.

The third mounting holes 66 of the grille member 16 receive the firstmounting tabs 50 of the support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 16.The hook 50A of the first mounting tab 50 flexes through the thirdmounting hole 66 and engages the rear surface 16B of the grille member16, thereby preventing inadvertent or accidental removal of the firstmounting tabs 50 from the third mounting holes 66. The first mountingtabs 50 pass through cut-outs 44 in the front fascia 12 such that thefront fascia 12 does not receive the first mounting tabs 50 of thesupport member 14.

The third mounting slot 71 of the grille member 16 receives the thirdmounting tab 54 of the support member 14, as shown in FIG. 20. The thirdmounting tab 54 flexes as the third mounting tab 14 passes through thethird mounting slot 71, such that the hook 54A of the third mounting tab14 engages the rear surface 16B of the grille member 16 to preventaccidental removal of the third mounting tab 54 from the third mountingslot 71.

The fourth mounting holes 67 of the grille member 16 are aligned withthe third mounting holes 40 of the front fascia 12 and the secondmounting bosses 56 of the support member 14, as shown in FIGS. 13 and21. A fastener 74 is inserted through the fourth mounting hole 67 of thegrille member 16, the third mounting hole 40 of the front fascia 12 andthe second mounting boss 56 of the support member 14, and preferably inthat order, to securely retain the front fascia 12, the support member14 and the grille member 16 together. The fastener 74 is inserted fromthe rear surface side of the grille member 16. The fastener 74 ispreferably threaded to engage the internally threaded opening 56A in thesecond mounting boss 56. The front surface 14A of the support member 14covers the fastener 74 such that the fastener 74 is not visible from afront surface side of the front fascia assembly 10, thereby providing anaesthetic appearance.

The support member 14 extends along a perimeter of the grille portion 60of the grille member 16 from the first end 14C to the second end 14D, asshown in FIG. 13. The grille portion 60 covers the opening 30 in thefront fascia 12, as shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 13. The front fasciaassembly 10 can then be attached to a vehicle.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe theabove embodiment(s), the following directional terms “forward”,“rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and“transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions of a vehicle equipped with the front fascia assemblyfor a vehicle. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe thepresent invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equippedwith the front fascia for a vehicle.

The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately”as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modifiedterm such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location ororientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/ordesired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A front fascia for a vehicle comprising: an upperfascia member; a lower fascia member; a connection member extendingbetween the upper fascia member and the lower fascia member; and atemporary connection member extending between the upper fascia memberand the lower fascia member, the temporary connection member beingconfigured to be removable prior to installation of the front fascia tothe vehicle.
 2. The front fascia according to claim 1, wherein thetemporary connection member is removable without a tool.
 3. The frontfascia according to claim 1, wherein the temporary connection member hasa first portion with a reduced thickness proximal the upper fasciamember and a second portion with a reduced thickness proximal the lowerfascia member, the first and second reduced thickness portionsfacilitating removal of the temporary connection member.
 4. The frontfascia according to claim 1, wherein the upper fascia member, the lowerfascia member, the connection member and the temporary connection memberare integrally formed as a single member.
 5. The front fascia accordingto claim 1, wherein the upper fascia member, the lower fascia member,the connection member and the temporary connection member are formed asa single member by injection molding.
 6. The front fascia according toclaim 1, wherein the first reduced thickness portion is disposedrearwardly of the second reduced thickness portion in a longitudinaldirection of the vehicle.
 7. The front fascia according to claim 1,wherein the connection member is not parallel to the temporaryconnection member.
 8. The front fascia according to claim 1, wherein thetemporary connection member extends substantially vertically in a frontview of the front fascia.
 9. The front fascia according to claim 1,wherein the temporary connection member is substantially centeredrelative to a length of the upper fascia member.
 10. The front fasciaaccording to claim 1, wherein the temporary connection member issubstantially centered relative to a length of the lower fascia member.11. A front fascia for a vehicle comprising: an upper fascia member; alower fascia member; a first connection member extending between theupper fascia member and the lower fascia member; a second connectionmember extending between the upper fascia member and the lower fasciamember; and a temporary connection member extending between the upperfascia member and the lower fascia member, the temporary connectionmember being configured to be removable prior to installation of thefront fascia to the vehicle.
 12. The front fascia according to claim 11,wherein the temporary connection member is removable without a tool. 13.The front fascia according to claim 11, wherein the temporary connectionmember has a first portion with a reduced thickness proximal the upperfascia member and a second portion with a reduced thickness proximal thelower fascia member, the first and second reduced thickness portionsfacilitating removal of the temporary connection member.
 14. The frontfascia according to claim 11, wherein the upper fascia member, the lowerfascia member, the first connection member, the second connectionmember, and the temporary connection member are integrally formed as asingle member.
 15. The front fascia according to claim 11, wherein theupper fascia member, the lower fascia member, the first connectionmember, the second connection member, and the temporary connectionmember are formed as a single member by injection molding.
 16. The frontfascia according to claim 11, wherein the first reduced thicknessportion is disposed rearwardly of the second reduced thickness portionin a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
 17. The front fasciaaccording to claim 1, wherein the temporary connection member is notparallel to the first connection member or to the second temporaryconnection member.
 18. The front fascia according to claim 11, whereinthe temporary connection member extends substantially vertically in afront view of the front fascia.
 19. The front fascia according to claim11, wherein the temporary connection member is substantially centeredrelative to a length of the upper fascia member and to a length of thelower fascia member.
 20. The front fascia according to claim 11, whereinthe temporary connection member is disposed between the first connectionmember and the second connection member.